Apparatus for treating dentures

Abstract

Denture baths comprise an outer container for containing an aqueous composition; means for supporting a denture in the container, which means allow the denture to be immersed in the aqueous composition; and an aqueous composition. The aqueous composition comprises a polymeric coating agent having a surface tension in 0.1% aqueous solution of less than 37 mNm-1 and a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater. In addition, the denture baths comprise a means for passing the denture through an interface of the aqueous composition with the surrounding air, the means being selected from means for draining the composition from a position beneath the denture and means for lifting the denture through the interface.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A denture bath comprising: 
       a) an outer container for containing an aqueous composition;  
       b) an aqueous composition comprising a polymeric coating agent having a surface tension in 0.1% aqueous solution of less than 37 mNm −     1    and a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater; and  
       c) means for supporting a denture in the container, which means allows the denture to be immersed in the aqueous composition; and  
       wherein the denture bath further comprises a means for passing the denture through an interface of the aqueous composition with the surrounding air, the means being s elected from means for draining the composition from a position beneath the denture and means for lifting the denture through the interface. 
     
     
       2. A denture bath according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer container comprises a base and one or more peripheral walls having an upper peripheral rim, the one or more peripheral walls oriented in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the base. 
     
     
       3. A denture bath according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more peripheral walls have a generally cylindrical cross-section. 
     
     
       4. A denture bath according to  claim 2 , wherein the outer container further comprises a lid. 
     
     
       5. A denture bath according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer container is plastic. 
     
     
       6. A denture bath according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting means comprises a basket supported in the container, the basket having a base with holes formed therein to allow liquid passage through the base of the basket. 
     
     
       7. A denture bath according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric coating agent is a silicone polymer. 
     
     
       8. A denture bath according to  claim 7 , wherein the silicone polymer is of the general formula (I): 
       wherein X is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy and acyl groups having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, Y is selected from alkyl and alkoxy groups having from about 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is from 0 to about 200, m is from about 1 to about 40, q is from 0 to about 100, the molecular weight of the residue (C 2 H 4 O—) x (C 3 H 6 O—) y X is from about 50 to about 2000. and x and y are such that the weight ratio of oxyethylene:oxypropylene is from 100:0 to 0:100. 
     
     
       9. A denture bath according to  claim 8 , wherein the silicone polymer is cetyl dimethicone copolyl. 
     
     
       10. A denture bath according to  claim 1  wherein the aqueous composition further comprises a persalt bleaching agent. 
     
     
       11. A denture bath comprising: 
       (a) an outer container containing an aqueous composition comprising a polymeric coating agent having a surface tension in 0.1% aqueous solution of less than 37 mNm −     1    and a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater, wherein the aqueous composition has an air interface; and  
       (b) a cradle adapted to support a denture in the outer container and adapted to allow the denture to be immersed in the aqueous composition;  
       wherein the denture bath is configured to allow the denture to pass through the air interface. 
     
     
       12. A denture bath according to  claim 11 , wherein the outer container is provided with an opening configured to allow the cradle to be removed from the container and to allow the denture to be passed through the air interface by lifting the cradle from the container. 
     
     
       13. A denture bath according to  claim 11 , wherein the outer container is provided with a draining valve at a position below the cradle, whereby the denture is passed through the air interface by draining the aqueous composition. 
     
     
       14. A denture bath according to  claim 11 , wherein the polymeric coating agent is a silicone polymer. 
     
     
       15. A denture bath according to  claim 14 , wherein the silicone polymer is of the general formula (I):                    
       wherein X is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy and acyl groups having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, Y is selected from alkyl and alkoxy groups having from about 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is from 0 to about 200, m is from about 1 to about 40, q is from 0 to about 100. the molecular weight of the residue (C 2 H 4 O—) x (C 3 H 6 O—)yX is from about 50 to about 2000, and x and y are such that the weight ratio of oxyethylene:oxypropylene is from 100:0 to 0:100. 
     
     
       16. A denture bath according to  claim 15 , wherein the silicone polymer is cetyl dimethicone copolyl. 
     
     
       17. A denture bath according to  claim 11 , wherein the aqueous composition further comprises a persalt bleaching agent.